Hamilton Keeps Title Bid Alive with 50th Grand Prix Win

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Lewis Hamilton cruised to his fiftieth grand prix win as he kept pressure on teammate Nico Rosberg with a convincing win in Texas

Lewis Hamilton cruised to his fiftieth grand prix win as he kept pressure on teammate Nico Rosberg with a convincing win in Texas.

The Brit built on a strong position earned from a good day's work at qualification as he took the lead from the pole position, with Daniel Ricciardo getting on the inside of Nico Rosberg to snatch the second place on the infamous turn one - which took its victims as Valtteri Bottas suffered a puncture after a collision with Nico Hülkenberg; the latter of who paid worse, retiring just three laps in.

It's game over for Hulkenberg! Too much damage to continue. A shame after another top 10 grid spot #F1onNBC#USGP

On their home ground prix, Team Haas were supported well by Romain Grosjean making up ground with some crisp early racing. Speaking of the early stages, Ricciardo was the first to check in with his team for a pit stop after just 9 laps, switching to the soft tyres.

Max Verstappen was also making noise, battling well and pushing Kimi Raikonnen, tearing up the track even with the warnings from his teammate. As things would turn out, his engine wasn't as up to it as he was, slowing down in the 30th lap and being forced to pull over and withdraw from the race. Unfortunately, Raikonnen wouldn't fare too much better when 9 laps later his race was also run. That was more the fault of his team though, with the right tyre loose.

Image: Formula

As the safety car was deployed on the track, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were now on the front two, after efficient pits 33 laps into the action. Still, the Brit had the victory in sight, continuing to cut away time and create daylight between him and his teammate.

Positions 5, 6 and 7 were at the core of a thrilling battle between Massa and Alonso, with just a second's difference between them at one point. Sainz Jr. would also get into the mix later on, although the Spaniard was prevalent finishing the race in number 5 - lucky not to have ran out with a very tight corner.

Image: F1

With the action flooding throughout, it was much less hectic at the top. As Lewis Hamilton surged through to his final lap, there was little doubt, breaking past the chequered flag for his first win since Germany, seeming like an eternity ago.

The lead in the drivers' championship for Rosberg was cut to 26 points as the German finished second, with Ricciardo getting the last spot on the podium.